Latest News from Turkey
Divided over Turkey, EU left scrambling to respond as migrants reach borders
The European Union, anxious to avoid any repeat of the 2015-16 migration chaos, is scrambling to react after Turkey said it would no longer abide by a 2016 deal under which it has been preventing refugees and migrants from heading for Europe.
Here are the bloc's options as the latest escalation of the war in Syria revives migration worries in Europe.
Turkish fighter jets violate Greek air space
Two pairs of Turkish fighter jets on Monday violated Greek air space over the islets of Anthropofagi and Makronisi, which are part of the Fournoi and Oinousses group, without first submitting a flight plan.
Turkey brings in more stringent virus measures as death toll rises to 30
The Turkish government has been extending its measures against the novel coronavirus outbreak, from suspended flights and limited work hours to more stringent disinfection works, as the death toll increased to 30 on March 22 with a total of 1,236 cases.
Turkish Cargo to open route to Austrian industrial city
The Istanbul-based Turkish Cargo, a division of national flag-carrier Turkish Airlines (THY), will launch direct freighter flights to the Austrian industrial city of Linz, the company announced on March 23.
Five mayors in southeastern Turkey detained over alleged terror links
Five mayors from the Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP) in southeastern Turkey have been detained over alleged terror links, according to local media reports.
Turkey appointed acting mayors to four municipalities in the region.
Front of historical Istanbul mosque to be filled
Works have commenced for the remaining part of the Üsküdar Square Expansion Project, which was stopped three years ago when cracks occurred on the walls of the Şemsi Ahmet Paşa Mosque in Istanbul's Üsküdar district, built in 1580 by the prominent Ottoman architect Mimar Sinan.
Greece stops all connections with Turkey, UK over coronavirus concerns
The Greek Health Ministry announced on Monday that it is suspending all connections to Turkey and the United Kingdom as part of efforts to curb the spread of the coronavirus.
The decision was announced in a government gazette issued on Sunday night, is to apply from 6 a.m. today to 3 p.m. on April 15.
Consumer confidence index improves in March
Consumers' confidence in the country's economy improved this month despite coronavirus fears, the Turkish Statistical Institute (TÜİK) said on March 23.
The consumer confidence index increased by 1.7 percent month-on-month in March, TÜİK data revealed.
Last month, the figure was 57.3.
Two PKK terrorists 'neutralized' in northern Iraq
Turkish security forces neutralized two PKK terrorists in an air-backed operation in northern Iraq, officials said on March 23.
The counter-terrorism operations will continue without any let-up, the Defense Ministry said in a tweet.
Turkish authorities often use the word "neutralized" in statements to imply the terrorists in question surrendered or were killed or captured.
Turkey assures Palestine of help to fight coronavirus
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan spoke with his Palestinian counterpart Mahmoud Abbas over the phone on March 21, reaffirming Turkey's support to Palestine in its fight against the novel coronavirus.
According to a statement by the Communications Directorate, Erdoğan and Abbas held a phone call to discuss recent developments and regional issues.
FM Çavuşoğlu says Turkey cannot host any more refugees
Turkey cannot host any more refugees, either from Syria or beyond, Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu said on March 23, in an opinion piece in the Financial Times.
Turkish Airlines halting all int’l flights except 5 routes
Turkish Airlines will ground all international flights except five routes from March 27 to April 17, the national flag carrier announced on March 22.
"As of March 27, we will suspend all our international flights except Hong Kong, Moscow, Addis Ababa, New York, and Washington, until April 17," the company's CEO Bilal Ekşi said on Twitter.
Turkey promotes quick kits for virus
Turkey has begun dispatching quick coronavirus testing kits that show results in 15 minutes to hospitals.
The Health Ministry began using the tests after Health Minister Fahrettin Koca gave instructions to distribute diagnostic kits to all cities.
‘Turkish public must implement measures against COVID-19’
The implementation of the measures taken by the government and health institutions and by individuals will determine the speed of the spread of the coronavirus in the country, according to a member of the Turkish Health Ministry's Coronavirus Science Committee.
Panathinaikos looks for Pitino's successor
Greek basketball champion Panathinaikos is looking for its next coach for when the action resumes in Greece and in Europe, after the departure of Rick Pitino back to the US.
The legendary coach is returning to the NCAA, as he has just signed a five-year contract with Iona, starting this fall.